Honey Mustard and Bacon Smothered Chicken Breast

Optimize flavor by assembling and freezing fresh chicken breasts, to be defrosted and baked right before serving.  

 

Recipe Yields: 24 servings (1 breast per serving)
Recommended Packaging: aluminum tins or other packaging of choice

Ingredients and Directions:

24 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
salt and ground black pepper

Work in batches as necessary. Remove any visible fat and gristle from each chicken breast. Place one breast, boned side up, between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Working from the center to the edges, lightly pound each chicken breast with the flat side of a meat mallet to approximately ½-inch thickness.

To assemble uncooked: Place 4 fresh (not previously frozen) breasts (or 1 per serving) in each tin. Continue with directions as follows.

1 pound bacon

Work in batches as necessary. In the same skillet over medium heat (or in oven), cook bacon until crisp. Drain and crumble or chop bacon. Sprinkle over chicken breasts, dividing evenly among tins.

¾ cup Dijon mustard
¾ cup honey
6 tablespoons corn syrup
6 tablespoons mayonnaise
3 cups shredded Colby or cheddar cheese

In a large bowl, mix together mustard, honey, corn syrup, and mayonnaise. Spoon over chicken breasts and bacon, dividing evenly among tins. Sprinkle ½ cup (or 2 tablespoons per serving) cheese over chicken chicken breasts. Cover with a sheet of plastic wrap, pressing down to cling to food. Apply lid. Freeze.

Reheating Instructions:

Defrost in refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350°. Remove board lid and plastic wrap. Cover loosely with foil to prevent drying.  Bake fresh chicken until done (approximately 30-40 minutes).

Submitted by:  Caroline B.

 

Source:  www.cookingamongfriends.com

Website with some great freezer recipes

http://www.mealplanningmagic.com/category/recipe-freezer-friendly

Cheese Balls

This recipe only takes me 2 minutes to make and is a yummy appetizer to share with others.

Ingredients:

2 packages (8 ounces) Cream Cheese, softened (regular or 1/3 reduced fat)

1 package (8 ounces) Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce

4 slices of bacon (cooked and crumbled) - I omit this from my cheese balls

Crackers to serve on the side

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and roll in three balls (large, medium and small).
Place on a platter in the refrigerator for an hour before serving.

Freezer Instructions:

Assemble cheese balls  and wrap securely in saran wrap and freezer bags. Defrost in fridge a few hours before gifting or using.

I use a carrot for the nose, pretzels for arms and raisins for the eyes, mouth and buttons, but you can also use peppercorns. It is not necessary to have a hat, but since I had oreos and large marshmallows on hand my boys asked me to give him a hat.

Submitted by: Caroline G.

"This recipe can also be rolled in nuts of your choice and in the shape of one or two cheese balls and freezes beautifully!"

Sunshine Chicken

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb. chicken breasts, boneless skinless (chopped breast, strips or whole breast)
2 c. BBQ sauce
1 c. Orange Juice

Instructions:

Cut the chicken in bite-sized pieces and combine it with the BBQ Sauce and Orange Juice.
 Bake in a foil coved pan at 350 degrees for 40 minutes before removing the foil and cooking for another 15 mins. 
Check your chicken to be sure you don't overcook.

Freezer Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a freezer bag. 
Be sure to cover the chicken pieces with your sauce.  Freeze flat.
Thaw at least 12 hours in the fridge.  I recommend taking it out the night before in your fridge and letting it thaw until cooking the next afternoon/early evening. 
Bake in a foil covered pan at 350 degrees for 40 minutes before removing the foil and cooking for another 15 mins. 
Check your chicken to be sure you don't overcook.

Submitted by:  Caroline G.

Easy Crockpot Mongolian Beef

Ingredients:

1 pound stewing meat
2 teaspoon olive oil
1 onion, sliced thickly (I omit this as my children don't like onion)
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
1/2 cup hoisin sauce

Directions:

Dump everything in the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.  If you are going to cook it a bit longer it is advisable to add a little bit more water so it doesn't dry out.  This is delicious with rice and a nice green vegetable such as broccoli, peas or green beans

Freezer directions:

Mix all liquid ingredients and put in a freezer bag.  Add your meat and mix up to be sure the beef is covered.  Seal and date your bag and place flat in the freezer.  Take out of freezer the night before cooking and put in your fridge.  Next morning put in the crockpot.

Submitted by:  Caroline G.

Source: www.allrecipes.com (adapted from)

Peanut/Salsa Chicken in the Crock Pot

Ingredients:

• 1 cup medium heat salsa
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 2 tbsp frozen OJ concentrate
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp liquid honey
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp curry powder
• 4-6 chicken breasts cut in half

Directions:

Chop green onions and raw peanuts to sprinkle on top when done.

In the crock pot, stir together all ingredients except the chicken, green onions and raw peanuts.

Put in chicken and turn to coat well on all sides.

Cook on low for 6-7 hours. Serve with green onions and peanuts sprinkled on top.

Tastes great with peas and rice.

Submitted by:  Caroline G.

"This is so easy and fabulous"

Soure:  www.foodlve.com

Chocolate Banana Bread

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 stick butter, melted and cooled
3 ripe bananas, mashed well
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Mix together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Stir the mashed bananas, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla.  Carefully fold the banana mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined.  Mix in the chocolate chips.

Pour into a greased loaf ban. 
Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 55 minutes until the bread the riens and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Cool and wrap in plastic wrap and foil or ziploc freezer bag.

Store in fridge or freezer.

Source:  www.moneysavingmom.com

Submitted by:  Caroline G.

Crock Pot Shredded Chicken Breasts for Freezing

Ingredients:

6-12 chicken breasts
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:

Place the chicken breasts in the crock pot. 
Mix water and spices together and pour over the chicken.
Cook on low setting for 8-10 hours.
Remove the chicken breasts, shred or pull the meat from bones (if you bone in) and remove the skin.
Place meat in individual freezer bags/containers.
Freeze.
Defrost and add to any recipes calling for cooked chicken.

This is great for casseroles, pizza, burritos, pasta, and soup etc.

Submitted by:  Caroline G.

Source:  www.food.com

Sausage Balls

These are easy and tasty. A great make ahead  party appetizer or to serve guests".


1 pound of bulk pork sausage (you can use any flavor or heat).
2 cups of Bisquick or a homemade substitute
3 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese


*I added a bit of Worcestershire Sauce to my mixture, however, this is not in the original recipe


Mix all ingredients together using your hands. I would suggest combining the sausage and the Bisquick first and adding the cheese last. You may have to work at it to get everything incorporated, but it will come together.
Roll about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the mixture in a ball. Repeat until done.
Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.


Freezer instructions: Roll into balls and flash freeze on wax paper on a cookie tray. When the sausage balls have hardened move to freezer bags. Thaw in your fridge and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.


Submitted by:  Caroline G.